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Liverpool have confirmed their squad for the league phase of the Champions League, with two well-known names notably missing from the list.

According to James Pearce of The Athletic, Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo have both been left out of Andoni Iraola’s 25-man squad. Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike have all been included despite still recovering from serious injuries.

For Chiesa and Endo, the call appears significant. Liverpool have effectively offered a clear signal about where both players currently sit in Iraola’s pecking order.

Chiesa missed Liverpool’s opening two Premier League games because of a muscle issue and must now face the possibility of watching the Champions League campaign from outside the squad.

Pearce reported that the Italian “finds himself down the pecking order following the summer signings of wingers Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz.”

Liverpool’s transfer business has altered the picture considerably.

Barcola has arrived as a major investment, while Munoz gives the side another option across the forward line. Cody Gakpo is still at the club and Alexander Isak adds even more attacking strength.

That leaves Chiesa looking like one of the players affected by Liverpool’s reshaping of their attack.

Perhaps even more interesting is the decision to leave out Endo.

The experienced midfielder was an unused substitute against both Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, while 22-year-old James McConnell has been preferred in Liverpool’s European squad.

That feels like a significant judgement from Iraola.

Endo has previously given Liverpool experience, discipline and a readiness to carry out whatever task was needed. Omitting him while selecting McConnell suggests Liverpool are prioritising the future rather than leaning on previous service.

It also opens up what could be an important opportunity for the academy graduate.

Liverpool have taken a different route with Leoni, Bradley and Ekitike.

Pearce described their inclusion as “welcome”, with all three expected to return at some point during the league phase.

Leoni is expected to return to training later this month after spending nearly a year recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Bradley has not played since suffering a serious knee injury against Arsenal in January, while Ekitike ruptured his Achilles against Paris Saint-Germain in April.

Ekitike’s inclusion stands out in particular. The French forward ended last season as Liverpool’s top scorer with 17 goals and could give Iraola another major attacking option later in the competition.

Liverpool are effectively holding places for players they believe can make a meaningful impact once they are fit again.

UEFA rules require Liverpool to name at least eight “locally trained” players on List A, while younger players such as Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni can be registered separately on List B.

That gives the club useful flexibility, though Liverpool’s final selection still says plenty.

Chiesa and Endo are available senior players who have been considered expendable for Europe. Bradley, Leoni and Ekitike are injured players who have been viewed as important enough to keep in the squad.

Squad lists can sometimes feel like an administrative exercise. This one feels far more significant.

Liverpool begin their Champions League campaign against Atletico Madrid at Anfield next Wednesday. For those selected, Europe provides another platform on which Iraola can start shaping his Liverpool team.

For Chiesa and Endo, however, the message seems very different.

There will naturally be frustration among Liverpool supporters when they look at these calls, especially after a summer in which doubts have already been raised over the balance and depth of Iraola’s squad.

Leaving out Chiesa appears understandable given the arrivals of Barcola and Munoz, but it also prompts another question. What exactly is Liverpool’s plan for the Italian now?

If he cannot secure a Champions League place even with Ekitike still unavailable, his path back to meaningful first-team football looks increasingly limited.

Endo’s position is arguably the more surprising one.

Liverpool supporters are aware of his limitations, but they also know precisely what he brings. He offers experience, defensive awareness and reliability, qualities that can become hugely valuable in difficult European away matches.

Choosing McConnell instead is a clear show of faith in youth. That should encourage supporters, especially those keen to see Liverpool create genuine opportunities for academy players.

The larger concern centres on Liverpool’s injured group. Including Bradley, Leoni and Ekitike makes sense if their recoveries remain on track. Liverpool will be desperate for all three to return without any setbacks.

Ekitike in particular could be crucial. A striker who scored 17 goals last season returning during the league phase would effectively hand Iraola another major attacking weapon midway through the campaign.

Ultimately, this squad feels like another sign that Liverpool are moving firmly into Iraola’s era. Some established players are being pushed towards the fringes, younger footballers are being handed chances and considerable trust is being placed in players working their way back from injury.

Supporters will hope those decisions are justified once the Champions League gets under way.